Ronald Arthur Murch died Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at d’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston, Maine.

He was born in Rockland, Maine on April 21st, 1928. He was the son of Malcolm and Lena Barnes Murch.

After graduating from Bridgton High School in 1947, he went on to Aurora College (now Aurora University) in Illinois, and earned a B.A. in music in 1953, a B. Theology in 1955, and a M. Ed. from the University of Massachusetts in 1962.

He served churches in New London, Conn.; West Wareham, Mass.; East Granby, Conn.; Carr, Fla.; and Auburn, Maine. He also taught French and English at East Granby, Conn. Junior-Senior High School from 1964 to 1983. After moving to Lewiston, Maine in 1986, he taught at Franklin Academy in Sabattus, and substituted for various subjects in the Auburn school system.

He married Carol Sylvester Edgecomb in 1986, and they had 30 happy years together. They enjoyed their annual trips to Virginia and Tennessee to spend time with son, Bruce, and his wife Beverly, and their children and grandchildren; and daughter, Miriam Kezer, and her husband, Bruce, and their children.

Many of Ronald’s former students kept in touch through the years and developed lasting friendships. One former student, Tricia Grant Gregoire, requested that Ronald and Carol become her godparents, and they were delighted to fill that role in her life.

Ronald was known to be a loyal friend to people he met as far back as grade school, and to friends he met in more recent years.

Besides his wife, Carol, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he leaves a sister, Janice Chapman, of Dowling Park, Fla., and a sister-in-law, Janice Huntley Murch, of Zephyrhills, Fla..

He was predeceased by his father in 1982; his mother in 1984; his brother, Bruce, in 1953; his brother, Sherwin, in 2013; and his brother, Brian, in 2016, and many dear friends.

Many thanks to Unit 4-West at d’Youville, and Beacon Hospice, for the excellent care they provided for the past year.

There was a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 18th, at 1 o’clock. It was at the Turner Street Community Church (Advent Christian), on 263 Turner Street, Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ron can be made to a favorite charity, or do a good deed for a person in need, in his memory.